As we reported earlier, the CNN+ paid streaming service officially launched Tuesday complete with much fanfare and hype – mostly by CNN employees – designed to generate excitement for a network that is struggling to stay afloat on the “free” cable news side of things.
CNN has been disappointed, as noted by other news outlets, because things started off very badly with Charles Gasparino, Fox Business Network’s reporter. pointing out that employees at CNN+ are already “bracing for layoffs possibly as soon as May amid projections of lackluster sales of new streaming channel.” In addition to that were the promotional emails CNN+ sent Tuesday where they offered “50% off for life” subscriptions to the platform, another sure sign that there is trouble in paradise.
But though this news isn’t good for the likes of newly minted CNN+ star Chris Wallace, one intentionally humorous development that has come from the lackluster launch of CNN’s new product is the CNN+ “Help” Twitter account, which is proving to be far more entertaining than what they’re wanting people to pay for (half off or not!).
For instance, in response to Gasparino’s tweet about possible layoffs coming, CNN’s strategic comms guy Matt Dornic tried the “move along, nothing to see here” tactic, telling Gasparino that “For the record, we are VERY happy with the launch of CNN+ and are only bracing for a long run of success.”
Hilariously, here’s how the CNN+ Help account replied to Baghdad BobDornic in an since-deleted tweet:
— Jerry Dunleavy (@JerryDunleavy) March 30, 2022
Another example is the very important comment made by a Twitter user. he asked CNN+’s “Help” account and CNN media hall monitor Brian Stelter “Why would anyone pay for another service or app? There’s literally nothing compelling you’re going to offer.”
CNN+ wanted to make their response as positive and warm-hearted as possible.
Josh, good morning! This is an excellent question. CNN+ is the latest subscription streaming service. CNN+ offers exclusive streaming content, including original series, films and interviews. To learn more, you can visit this page https://t.co/U5SXsgXECb
— CNN+ Help (@CNNplushelp) March 30, 2022
One frustrated Twitter user pointed out that that his subscription didn’t last very long. “My @CNNplus subscription lasted all of 24 hours. I’ll never get that $2.99 back. Coulda bought a Choc-Ice,” they wrote.
CNN+ Help wanted to “look into it”:
Thank you! It’s a great question! We’re happy to help.
— CNN+ Help (@CNNplushelp) March 30, 2022
Another doubter? weighed in, wondering if there was “anyone out there dumb enough to pay extra for CNN? I don’t think even Senile Joe is that dumb.”
CNN+ Help promised to pass along the feedback to “the team” in an effort to make CNN+ “even better”:
Hi Foster, Thanks for the feedback, I’ll pass your thoughts along. CNN+ continues to improve.
— CNN+ Help (@CNNplushelp) March 30, 2022
LOL. Their Twitter account, as I stated earlier is more entertaining than CNN+’s streaming service. And to think it’s free on top of that! What is the secret to our luck? 😉
Flashback:Blockbuster Report Reveals deep Extent of CNN Colusion with Andrew Cuomo: The Dam is Broken